TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal continues its international programme with João Ramos and Jorge Carvalho taking part in the Italian Baja, an event counting towards the FIA European Baja Cup, which takes place from 25 to 28 June in Pordenone.
With its sights set on north-eastern Italy, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal heads for the third round of the FIA European Baja Cup. The Portuguese team approaches this trip to Italy with renewed ambition and full focus on the top positions, determined to turn into results all the potential shown during its appearance in Cuenca.
The 2026 Italian Baja will feature a selective and highly demanding route, structured over two legs and four selective sections, including a 14.05 km prologue on Friday. The first leg, on Saturday, will be the longest of the event, with 319.78 timed kilometres, divided into two passes over the same selective section, FVG 1 and FVG 2. The second leg, on Sunday, will cover 98.37 km, corresponding to SS3 — Tagliamento — bringing the total competitive distance to 432.20 km, within an overall route of 674.88 km.
The event takes place mainly along the riverbeds of the Tagliamento, Meduna and Cosa rivers, in north-eastern Italy, between Pordenone and Udine. It is a demanding route that combines fast areas with technical sections, set within a very particular geological context.
The surface consists of a dense mix of gravel and sizeable loose stones, creating significant challenges in terms of traction. The terrain conditions impose extreme mechanical stress, making pace management essential in order to avoid retirements caused by mechanical failures. The route alternates between long straights across open ground, where high speeds can be reached, and winding, technical sections that require a high level of precision.
To take on this challenge, João Ramos will once again compete at the wheel of the Toyota Hilux T1+, a benchmark vehicle in international cross-country rallying, alongside Jorge Carvalho, whose experience in navigation will be a key asset.
The pair starts the event determined to capitalise on the project’s potential and score important points in a championship that represents the central focus of the 2026 season.
Full focus on a demanding challenge
Looking ahead to the Italian Baja, João Ramos is motivated for another stage of the European campaign:
“We start this event with motivation and determination to fight for the top positions in Italy. We know the competition will be strong and that the terrain will be very tough, but we are prepared. We have carried out in-depth preparation work that will allow us to be ready for the challenges we will face.
“I believe this could be an event better suited to our Hilux and, as such, we aim to reach the top positions and turn the potential we have already shown into a strong result. This level of toughness will require some effort management throughout the event, but we have a well-defined plan, despite not knowing the terrain, which represents an additional challenge. Even so, that does not take away our focus or our ambition to bring home a good result.”
With a determined structure, an experienced crew and clearly defined objectives, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal arrives at the Italian Baja ready to face another challenge on the international stage and strengthen its bid in the FIA European Baja Cup.
Source: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Caetano Portugal
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